Digital Commons Network^™

The Perk/Atf4 Pathway Is Required For Metabolic Reprogramming And Progressive Lung Fibrosis, Jyotsana Pandey, Jennifer L Larson-Casey, Mallikarjun H Patil, Chao He, Nisarat Pinthong, A Brent Carter

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Asbestosis is a prototypical type of fibrosis that is progressive and does not resolve. ER stress is increased in multiple cell types that contribute to fibrosis; however, the mechanism(s) by which ER stress in lung macrophages contributes to fibrosis is poorly understood. Here, we show that ER stress resulted in protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK; Eif2ak3) activation in humans with asbestosis. Similar results were seen in asbestos-injured mice. Mice harboring a conditional deletion of Eif2ak3 were protected from fibrosis. Lung macrophages from asbestosis individuals had evidence of metabolic reprogramming to fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Eif2ak3fl/fl mice had increased oxygen …

A Near Telomere-To-Telomere Phased Reference Assembly For The Male Mountain Gorilla, David R Nelson, Richard Muvunyi, Khaled M Hazzouri, Jean-Claude Tumushime, Gaspard Nzayisenga, Nziza Julius, Wim Meert, Latifa Karim, Wouter Coppieters, Katherine M Munson, Dongahn Yoo, Evan E Eichler, Kourosh Salehi-Ashtiani, Jean-Claude Twizere

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The endangered mountain gorilla, Gorilla beringei beringei, faces numerous threats to its survival, highlighting the urgent need for genomic resources to aid conservation efforts. Here, we present a near telomere-to-telomere, haplotype-phased reference genome assembly for a male mountain gorilla generated using PacBio HiFi (26.77× ave. coverage) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (52.87× ave. coverage) data. The resulting non-scaffolded assembly exhibits exceptional contiguity, with contig N50 of ~95 Mbp for the combined pseudohaplotype (3,540,458,497 bp), 56.5 Mbp (3.1 Gbp) and 51.0 Mbp (3.2 Gbp) for each haplotype, an average QV of 65.15 (error rate = 3.1 × 10−7), and a BUSCO …

Multicomponent Parenteral Lipid Emulsions Do Not Prevent Liver Injury In Neonatal Pigs With Obstructive Cholestasis, Greg Guthrie, Caitlin Vonderohe, Valeria Meléndez Hebib, Barbara Stoll, Douglas Burrin

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Biliary atresia (BA) is a pediatric liver disease that often necessitates parenteral nutrition (PN) to support growth due to impaired liver function. While soy-based lipid emulsions (SLE) are commonly used in PN, they may contribute to cholestatic liver injury. In contrast, mixed lipid emulsions (MLE) show promise in preventing cholestasis in infants without BA, potentially by restoring bile flow. However, their effectiveness in patients of complete bile duct obstruction, as seen in BA, remains uncertain. To explore the potential benefits of MLE in BA, we utilized a neonatal pig model of bile duct ligation (BDL). Pigs underwent either BDL or …

Characterization Of Immunogenicity Of Hiv Mrna Vaccine In Humanized Mice, Omoyeni Precious Adejare

Biotechnology Theses

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a leading global cause of mortality. Despite decades of research, a definitive cure or an effective vaccine for HIV infection has yet to be discovered. The major target for HIV vaccine development is the envelope (Env) trimeric protein that is responsible for host cell attachment and fusion. This comprises gp120 and the transmembrane gp41. Gp140, a truncated form of gp160(full envelope trimer) lacks the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of gp41, closely mimics the native HIV envelope has been shown to enhance the induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (BnAbs) when used as protein vaccine in previous …

The Effect Of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs On Union Rates Following Operative Repair Of Distal Radius Fractures, Michael Chang, Alexis Kasper, Juliet Chung, Justin Wright, Margaret Pennington, Asif M. Ilyas

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Purpose

Methods

Treatment Of Overactive Katp Channels With Glibenclamide In A Zebrafish Model And A Clinical Trial In Humans With Cantú Syndrome, Lotte Kleinendorst, Sarah E Siegelaar, Helen I Roessler, Lema Meiwand, Malou Van Den Boogaard, Rianne H A C M De Bruin-Bon, Kirsten F Van Duinen, R Nils Planken, Elisabeth H Jaspars, Patrick M J H Kemperman, Berto J Bouma, Colin G Nichols, Marcel W Bekkenk, Gijs W Van Haaften, Mieke M Van Haelst

2020-Current year OA Pubs

This study explores the efficacy of glibenclamide, a K

Utilization Of Flow Cytometry, Metabolomic Analyses And A Feline Infectious Peritonitis Case Study To Evaluate The Physiological Impact Of Polyprenyl Immunostimulant, Irene Lee, Amar Desai, Akshay Patil, Yan Xu, Kelley Pozza-Adams, Anthony J. Berdis

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Measles, hepatitis C, and COVID-19 are significant human diseases caused by RNA viruses. While vaccines exist to prevent infections, there are a small number of currently available therapeutic agents that can effectively treat these diseases after infection occurs. This study explores a new therapeutic strategy using a small molecule designated polyprenyl immunostimulant (PI) to increase innate immune responses and combat viral infections. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this study quantifies the effects of PI in mice and THP-1 cells using flow cytometry to identify immune phenotypic markers and mass spectroscopy to monitor the metabolomic profiles of immune cells perturbed by PI …

Emotional Contagion Of Fear And Joy From Humans To Horses Using A Combination Of Facial And Vocal Cues, Plotine Jardat, Shinya Yamamoto, Monamie Ringhofer, Noa Tanguy-Guillo, Céline Parias, Fabrice Reigner, Ludovic Calandreau, Léa Lansade

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Emotional contagion, the emotional state-matching of two individuals, has been documented in various species. Recent findings suggest emotional contagion could also take place between humans and domestic mammals. However, the range of targeted animal species and human emotions that have been studied is still limited, and the methodology to investigate emotional contagion in this context is not fully established. This study examined emotional contagion of fear and joy from humans to horses by measuring physiological (heart rate, infrared thermography) and behavioral responses (posture, laterality bias, facial expressions) to videos of human fear, joy, or neutral emotions. Horses (n = 45) …

Strengthening Occupational Health And Safety (Ohs) In Schools To Minimize Risks For Students, Teachers, And Visitors: Policy Recommendation, Wiwik Eko Pertiwi, Hanifa Maher Denny, Yuliani Setyaningsih, Agung Dwi Laksono

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Vocational schools equip students with practical skills and expose them to industry-related hazards, making Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) a crucial aspect of the school environment. This study aims to identify key factors behind the weak implementation of OHS in vocational schools. A literature review used articles published between 2017–2024 from national and international journals. The review found poor OHS implementation stems from lack of awareness, inadequate policies, insufficient infrastructure, weak safety culture, and negligence in accident prevention. To address these issues, the study recommends OHS education and training, improvement of school infrastructure, curriculum integration, formation of safety teams, and …

Staff Expectancies In Conducting Ship Hygiene And Sanitation Inspections: A Qualitative Study At Banten Class I Port Health Quarantine Office, Lukman Waris, Budiman Budiman, Hany Puspita Aryani

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Sea transport plays a vital role in the movement of goods and passengers, yet it simultaneously poses a potential risk for the transmission of infectious diseases, both nationally and internationally. Ship hygiene and sanitation inspection (HSI) is a strategic measure to control such risks, and the outcomes of these inspections are influenced by the expectations of the implementing officers. This study explores how staff expectancy at the Banten Class I Port Health Quarantine Office affects the quality of HSI. A qualitative study using the Rapid Assessment Procedure (RAP) was conducted with 80 staff members across five work units. Data were …

In Vivo Crispr Activation Screen Identifies Acyl-Coa-Binding Protein As A Driver Of Bone Metastasis, Hongqi Teng, Qinglei Hang, Caishang Zheng, Yuelong Yan, Shaomin Liu, Yang Zhao, Yalan Deng, Litong Nie, Weiche Wu, Marisela Sheldon, Zachary Yu, Wei Shi, Jianxuan Gao, Chenling Meng, Consuelo Martinez, Jie Zhang, Fan Yao, Yutong Sun, Di Zhao, Boyi Gan, Tong Meng, Li Ma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

One of the most common sites of cancer metastasis is to the bone. Bone metastasis is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, and current therapeutic interventions remain largely palliative. Metastasizing tumor cells need to reprogram their metabolic states to adapt to the nutrient environment of distant organs; however, the role and translational relevance of lipid metabolism in bone metastasis remain unclear. Here, we used an in vivo CRISPR activation screening system coupled with positive selection to identify acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) binding protein (ACBP) as a bone metastasis driver. In nonmetastatic and weakly metastatic cancer cells, overexpression of wild-type ACBP, but …

Simultaneous Targeting Of Tumor Cells And Tumor-Associated Macrophages To Reprogram Glioblastoma Using Trypsinized Extracellular Vesicles Carrying Tumor Suppressive Microrna, Grace H Nguyen, Minhye Noh, Jin Muk Kang, Alexandra A Miller, Minxin Huang, Jiyeon Kim, Jeong-Yeon Lee, Sangwoon Chung, Hongyu Wang, George A Calin, Cynthia Ju, Holger K Eltzschig, Yeshavanth Banasavadi-Siddegowda, Zhongming Zhao, Ji Young Yoo, Tae Jin Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains difficult to treat due to poor drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-suppressive microRNAs (miRNAs) offer a promising strategy to reprogram both tumor cells and the TME, but inefficient delivery systems limit their clinical application. We previously reported that tumor-suppressive miR-138 regresses tumor growth in preclinical GBM models. Here, we demonstrate that trypsin digestion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) enhances labeling efficiency with folate (FA), enhancing selective targeting of folate receptor (FR)-positive GBM cells and enabling simultaneous targeting of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). FA-labeled trypsinized EVs (tEVs) loaded with miR-138 inhibit tumor growth, …

Investigating The Role Of Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor 3 In Ocular Surface Ion Transport And Fluid Secretion, Ethan Lindgren

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Biological Sciences Master's Theses

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease that drives tear film instability and hyperosmolarity, directly damaging the ocular surface epithelium. Lysophosphatidic acid receptor (LPAR) is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) responsible for Ca²⁺ and cAMP mobilization via PLC and adenylyl cyclase activation, respectively. LPAR signaling is involved in cell proliferation and wound healing in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) as well as in neuropathic pain. This study aims to investigate expression and functional roles of LPAR3 in ocular surface. Ocular surface potential difference (OSPD) and tear fluid volume measurements were performed in mice with topically applied LPAR modulators. …

Effect Of Anesthesia And Diurnal Variation On Chronic Vagus Nerve Activity In Rats, Bhanu P. Kotamraju, Grant A. Mccallum, Dominique M. Durand

Faculty Scholarship

The vagus nerve, serving as a pivotal link between the brain and vital organs, regulates crucial physiological functions. It plays a central role in maintaining homeostasis within the body and must dynamically adapt to changing conditions such as anesthesia or sleep. While vagal tone, typically estimated indirectly from heart rate variability, has been extensively studied, direct measurement of vagal activity during sleep and anesthesia remains unreported to date. Recent technological advancements have facilitated the recording of vagus nerve activity in freely moving rodents using small, highly flexible carbon nanotube yarns. Consequently, it is now feasible to directly investigate vagal activity …

Histone Methyltransferase Ash1l Primes Metastases And Metabolic Reprogramming Of Macrophages In The Bone Niche, Chenling Meng, Kevin Lin, Wei Shi, Hongqi Teng, Xinhai Wan, Anna Debruine, Yin Wang, Xin Liang, Javier Leo, Feiyu Chen, Qianlin Gu, Jie Zhang, Vivien Van, Kiersten L Maldonado, Boyi Gan, Li Ma, Yue Lu, Di Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Bone metastasis is a major cause of cancer death; however, the epigenetic determinants driving this process remain elusive. Here, we report that histone methyltransferase ASH1L is genetically amplified and is required for bone metastasis in men with prostate cancer. ASH1L rewires histone methylations and cooperates with HIF-1α to induce pro-metastatic transcriptome in invading cancer cells, resulting in monocyte differentiation into lipid-associated macrophage (LA-TAM) and enhancing their pro-tumoral phenotype in the metastatic bone niche. We identified IGF-2 as a direct target of ASH1L/HIF-1α and mediates LA-TAMs' differentiation and phenotypic changes by reprogramming oxidative phosphorylation. Pharmacologic inhibition of the ASH1L-HIF-1α-macrophages axis elicits …

Sksr1 Identified As Key Virulence Factor In Cryptosporidium By Genetic Crossing, Wei He, Lianbei Sun, Tianyi Hou, Zuwei Yang, Fuxian Yang, Shengchen Zhang, Tianpeng Wang, Xinran Wang, Na Li, Yaqiong Guo, L David Sibley, Yaoyu Feng, Lihua Xiao

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Cryptosporidium is a major cause of severe diarrhea. Although Cryptosporidium isolates exhibit significant differences in infectivity and virulence, the genetic determinants for these traits are not clear. In this study, we use classical genetics to cross two Cryptosporidium parvum isolates of different virulence and use bulk segregant analysis of whole-genome sequences from the progeny to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with Cryptosporidium infectivity and virulence. Of the 23 genes in three QTL, two have loss-of-function mutations in the low-virulence isolates, including the SKSR1 gene encoding a variant secretory protein. Deletion of the SKSR1 gene or expression of the frame-shifted …

Rapamycin Treatment For Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias: A Pilot Phase 1 Clinical Trial, Mitzi M Gonzales, Miranda E Orr, Yingxin He, Randall J Bateman, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Rapamycin has been shown to extend lifespan and acts on pathologies underlying Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in animal models. However, rapamycin's clinical application remains underexplored.

METHODS: We conducted a single-site open-label phase 1 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04200911) to examine the effects of rapamycin in humans. Eligible participants were people 55-85 years old with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia, which was defined as having a Global Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Score of 0.5-1. All participants received rapamycin (1 mg/day) for eight weeks. The primary aim was to evaluate rapamycin's central nervous system penetrance by assaying drug levels in …

Effect Of Targeting Apoc-Iii With Plozasiran On Lipoprotein Particle Size And Number In Hypertriglyceridemia, Christie M Ballantyne, Daniel Gaudet, Robert S Rosenson, Robert A Hegele, Rong Zhou, Stacey Melquist, Jennifer Hellawell, Nicholas J Leeper

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Plozasiran, an investigational siRNA targeting hepatic apoC-III, reduces triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs). The impact of plozasiran on lipoprotein particle numbers and sizes is unknown. However, reductions in the number of TRL particles (TRL-P) and a shift to possibly less atherogenic large low-density lipoprotein particles (LDL-P) are expected.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of plozasiran on lipoprotein particle concentration and subclass distribution using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in 2 phase 2 studies.

Methods: Patients (N = 403) from SHASTA-2 (severe hypertriglyceridemia) and MUIR (mixed hyperlipidemia) were administered 2 total subcutaneous doses of plozasiran (10, 25, or 50 mg) …

Multimodal Spatial Proteomic Profiling In Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Christopher P Ly, Ivo Veletic, Christopher D Pacheco, Enes Dasdemir, Fatima Z Jelloul, Sammy Ferri-Borgogno, Akshay V Basi, Javier A Gomez, Jessica L Root, Patrick K Reville, Sonali Jindal, Sreyashi Basu, Padmanee Sharma, Andres E Quesada, Carlos Bueso-Ramos, Taghi Manshouri, Branko Cuglievan, Miriam Garcia, Jared K Burks, Hussein A Abbas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) resides in an immune-rich microenvironment, yet, immune-based therapies have faltered in eliciting durable responses. Bridging this paradox requires a comprehensive understanding of leukemic interactions within the bone marrow microenvironment. We optimized a high-throughput tissue-microarray-based pipeline for high-plex spatial immunofluorescence and mass cytometry imaging on a single slide, capturing immune, tumor, and structural components. Using unbiased clustering on the spatial K function, we unveiled the presence of tertiary lymphoid-like aggregates in bone marrow, which we validated using spatial transcriptomics and an independent proteomics approach. We then found validated TLS signatures predictive of outcomes in AML using an …

Dietary Intake Of Protein By Food Source And Incident Hypertension Among Diverse Us Adults: The Mesa Study, Ji Yun Tark, Ruosha Li, Bing Yu, Alexis C Wood, Nikhil S Padhye, Marcia C De Oliveira Otto

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Dietary guidelines recommend adequate protein intake from diverse sources for optimal blood pressure; however, its role in hypertension risk remains unclear. We examined prospective associations of protein intake and diversity, overall and by source, with hypertension risk in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) study.

Methods and results: Among 2294 participants aged 45 to 84 years without hypertension at baseline, total, animal, and plant protein intake was assessed using a 120-item food frequency questionnaire. Protein diversity was evaluated using count and the dissimilarity index. Over a 9-year median follow-up, 1356 hypertension cases were identified through blood pressure measurements and …

Effects Of Nicotine On Dopamine Signaling In Sprague Dawley Rats, Dominik Sretenovic, Kyle A. Marsh, Sabin Mulch, Gahnan Schaff, Anthony Jones, Sukhman Bains, David Daberkow

2025 Symposium

Nicotine influences dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region associated with reward processing and addiction. This study examined nicotine’s effects on DA signaling using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) in anesthetized rats. Electrodes were implanted to stimulate DA release in the medial forebrain bundle and record signals in the ventral striatum. After administering saline or nicotine, DA levels were monitored in real-time, and electrode placement was later verified through histological analysis. Saline-treated rats showed minor DA fluctuations, with a peak signal detected at 50 minutes, while technical difficulties prevented complete nicotine data collection. However, previous experiments indicated significantly …

Fear And Oxytocin: Effects Of Intraperitoneal Pretreatment In Rats, Daniel Yeromenko, Kelsie German, Eros Fuentes, Jenna Meade, Ben Bustos

2025 Symposium

INTRODUCTION: Oxytocin is a neuropeptide widely known for its role in social bonding and emotional regulation. Recent studies have suggested its involvement in modulating fear, stress, and anxiety responses, potentially offering therapeutic applications for trauma-related disorders such as PTSD. This study investigated whether pretreatment with oxytocin reduces behavioral and physiological fear responses in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats using a classical fear conditioning model. METHODS : Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats (12 males, 12 females) were assigned to one of four groups: control (no shock, no oxytocin), shock only, shock + low-dose oxytocin (0.5 mg/kg), and shock + high-dose oxytocin (1.0 mg/kg). …

Baseline Data: Sex Differences In Human Performance, D Desio, K Snyder, W Erickson, J Galati, K Otersen, S Campbell Facsm

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

A

Plant-Based Protein Associated With Lower Body Fat Percentage In Division Iii Female Athletes, J Kim, M Frennett, W Hoerle, J Lockwood, L Cryer, S Ives Facsm, C Kotarsky

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

A

Chronic Exposure Of Rodents To Inhaled Ozone Causes Mitochondrial Fission In Skeletal Muscle, C Longoria, J Vatanapradit, K Vayas, V Sunil, D Laskin

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

A

Gut Microbiota Is Different Between Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy Compared To Gender Affirming Surgery, K Synder, A Yasrebi, D Desio, G Wu, S Ghosh, A Zheng, S Gao, A Donlon, L Joseph, T Roepke, S Campbell Facsm

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

A

Preparation And In-Vitro Evaluation Of Dompridone Oral Thin Film, Fatima Mohammed Hussein Wais

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

The aim of the current study was to formulate and evaluatedompridone nanoparticles and loaded in oral fast dissolve film, for enhance the solubility of poor water soluble dompridone by nanoparticles and fasten the action by prepared as oral thin film and also to improve patient compliance. Domperidone is the recommended medication for nausea and vomiting brought on by viral infections, chemotherapy, migraines, and food poisoning.Domperidonenanoparticles were made using two type of polymers (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose HPMC-K15 and methylcellulose MC-A4C) in a range of ratios (1:1, 1:2, and 1:3) drug:polymer ratio by solvent antisolvent technique. In nanoparticle formulation, HPMC-K15 and MC-A4C were …

The Global Clinical Trials Ecosystem: A Critical Evaluation And Future Outlook, Sydney-Ariel D. Muneses

Undergraduate Honors Theses

As global clinical trials expand, inconsistencies in regulatory and ethical frameworks are increasingly evident, raising concerns about economic sustainability and participant protections. Existing research attributes this surge to pharmaceutical companies seeking cost efficiencies in emerging markets but acknowledges the challenges posed by fragmented oversight across international jurisdictions. To examine these limitations, a modified Delphi approach was used to gather expert insights from key stakeholders in global clinical trials. Findings highlighted systemic inefficiencies and ethical gaps, emphasizing the need for regulatory harmonization to balance scientific rigor, economic feasibility, and equitable participant treatment. By identifying critical shortcomings and proposing strategies to align …

Intouch Week Of May 19, 2025, New York Medical College

InTouch

• Vikas Grover, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, and Ronnie Myers, D.D.S., Named Healthcare Heroes by Westchester Magazine
• Annual Louis Del Guercio, M.D., Research Day Showcases Outstanding Surgical Research
• NYMC Celebrates Homecoming 2025 with Alumni, Students, and Campus Tours
• Teaching and Learning Symposium Brings Faculty Together to Enrich Their Educational Practice
• Philip Kuehl, Ph.D., Addresses Drug Development Problem Statements at the Neighborhood Science Seminar Series
• 185 TCDM Students Don White Coats as They Head to Touro Dental Health Clinics in New York and New Mexico
• Student Spotlight: David Zuckerman to Address Graduates Before Beginning Neurology Residency at NYU

Ccaat/Enhancer-Binding Proteins Α And Β Regulate Ovulation And Gene Expression Via Dose- And Stage-Dependent Mechanisms, Hanxue Zhang, Rainer B Lanz, Jimmy Dhillon, Paul D Soloway, Bo Shui, Yi Athena Ren

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge orchestrates complex cellular and molecular events leading to ovulation. CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins α and β (C/EBPα/β) are transcription factors acutely induced by the LH surge and crucial for ovulation and granulosa cell luteinization. However, biological processes (BPs) and their regulatory mechanisms downstream of C/EBPα/β in the preovulatory ovary are not completely understood. To address this knowledge gap, we generated Cebpa/bfl/fl;Pgr-Cre mutants and compared them with Cebpa/bfl/fl;Cyp19a1-Cre mutant female mice: Cebpa/bfl/fl;Cyp19a1-Cre mutants have undetectable levels of C/EBPα/β throughout the preovulatory stages and do not ovulate, aligning with previous reports; and Cebpa/bfl/fl;Pgr-Cre mutants present gradual depletion of …